GENERATION BLUES

What We Do

The Blues Foundation expanded its longstanding Blues in the Schools youth education efforts with a new initiative that began in 2010 entitled Generation Blues. Generation Blues was created to provide financial assistance to aspiring young Blues musicians whose limited financial resources might prohibit them from attending a Blues music learning opportunity. This scholarship program is available for those under the age of 21 to study their instrument of choice at reputable camps, seminars, and workshop programs in the United States and Canada. The Scholarship does not fund individual lessons or tuition.

Programs attended by Generation Blues scholarship recipients generally take place in the summer at the recipients’ choice of location. Participants are awarded scholarships based first upon financial need using Federal Poverty Guidelines. Participation is open to anyone under the age of 21 who is interested in studying the Blues. Generation Blues scholarships are limited to 3 awards per applicant. Applicants must write a letter of intent and provide a letter of recommendation from a Blues musician, teacher, or someone with experience in the Blues community. The letter of recommendation must be from someone outside the family of the applicant.

Generation Blues candidates and all other youth who are either aspiring Blues musicians or Blues fans are required to become a part of The Blues Foundation by joining the organization as a Youth Member at no cost. In addition, we will maintain their free membership with The Blues Foundation until they turn 21 years of age. By offering our next generation of Blues lovers a free Blues Foundation membership, we invite them to begin a lifetime of listening to this great music as well as participation in the activities of their local Blues societies and The Blues Foundation.

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The Generation Blues Experience

“Before I went to this Blues Camp, I could barely play a harmonica. And when I left I could confidently play harmonica, bass, and drums… Overall the trip to Clarksdale for the Pinetop Perkins Foundation Workshops was a big win. I got to meet and to play with a bunch of great musicians from across the country.”
— Draken Mogollon, age 11 (Pinetop Perkins Youth Workshop)

“Attending Camp Blues has been such a great opportunity! I have become a better vocal musician and also decided to learn an instrument after seeing all the talented musicians at camp. Singing in front of live audiences has made me more confident in myself and has made me a more outgoing person.
— Mari Hannah, age 14 (Fernando Jones’ Blues Camp Chicago)

“Because of the scholarships I’ve received, I’ve traveled to Clarksdale, Mississippi, the birthplace of the Blues. There I went to the Pinetop Perkins Masterclass, where I met so many other musicians my age with the same interest as me. To learn and play the Blues! The instructors there were so genuine and they shared their experiences that have now become a part of me.”
— Grace Kuch, age 14 (Pinetop Perkins Youth Workshop)

Educational Programs

Below is a list of summer Blues camps and workshops for which students may receive Generation Blues Scholarships. These are independent programs and The Blues Foundation does not manage or hold any supervisory role over these programs, and as such does not take responsibility for the actual camp experience. Our role is exclusively to provide financial support to assist students in receiving blues education.